I need help with a complicated rule

Hello everybody,

I'm currently using the trial version of Hazel and I'm very excited. I will definitely buy it.

But now I have a question about a very complex rule that I can't handle.

A zip file is saved in a folder "Downloads". This file should be unzipped. The process creates a subfolder named "Data_ <month> _ <year>". The file "Rg_XXXXXXXXXX.pdf" is created in this subfolder.

Hazel should rename this file in the subfolder to "RE <month-1>. <Year> .pdf". Month and year can be taken either from the name of the subfolder or the creation date of the PDF file.

Because that's not complicated enough: <month-1> can yield 0. If this happens, then <month> must be 12 and <year-1>.

Finally, the renamed file should then be moved to another folder and the subfolder "Data_<month>_<year>" containing the unpacked file should be deleted.

Is that possible with Hazel? If so, I ask for help how that works. All my attempts lead to no useful result. At the moment I just managed to unzip the zip file.

First off, Hazel does not go into subfolders by default. You need to create a separate rule to tell it to do so. Search the help for "subfolders" as there is a chapter on that.

Also look up "match patterns". That should allow you to pick off pieces of the name and re-arrange as necessary.

The issue with detecting month 0 is a bit trickier. I suggest getting the regular stuff working first before focusing on this. Now, you may need to create a duplicate rule which parses the date. The month would be captured in a custom attribute. You can then use that custom attribute in a condition. You can check for whether it is 0 and then use a number adjustment on the year in the actions.

Thank you for your answer Mr_Noodle.

I had already read "match patterns" in advance. Unfortunately, that doesn't help me. I have to read out the name of the subfolder and use this name modified as filename for the PDF file.

Reading out the name of the subfolder works. If I then want to rename the PDF file, the subfolder is always renamed but never the PDF file.

How should that be realized? If I try it over the creation date of the PDF file then "matches" is not available.

I have inserted the rule for subfolders.

Can you post your rules? You'll need to use an external image hosting site (like imgur) to post any images.

Here is an example of a rule. I've already tried a few rules, but none works properly. This one renames the subfolder, how the file should actually be renamed.

Ok, this rule won't match anything as it is trying to match both a file and a folder at the same time.

Now, if you want to match a file and use the name of the folder containing it, do something like:

Code: Select all: ... If (all) are met for (the enclosing folder) Name matches ...

That way you still match the file while having custom attributes grabbing values from the parent folder's name.

That was the deciding hint. Thank you for the great help. Now it works (nearly perfect).

I have created 5 rules:

1. For unzipping
2. Rename file
3. If month isn't 00 then move file
4. If month is 00 then rename file to "RE 12.<year -1>" and move file
5. Delete directory

But there is only one small flaw left. If the folder is named "Data_10_<year>" the file should be renamed to "RE 09.<year>". But the file is renamed in "RE 9.<year>". When calculating <month -1>, the format "00" does not seem to work if the origin was two digits and the result is single-digit. Is this a bug or intended?

Must i create a sixth rule for this case or is there an easier way? Sorry for so many questions from me and thanks again for the help.

I could answer my last question by myself.

I created "month" in the pattern with digits. If I use number instead of digits then format "00" works. Mostly it depends on the subtleties.